Africa Accelerates Gas Development with Floating LNG Projects
Floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) is emerging as a central pillar of Africa’s gas development strategy as the continent prepares for a sharp rise in energy demand and seeks faster, more resilient routes to market.
According to the African Energy Chamber’s State of African Energy 2026 Outlook, Africa’s natural gas demand is projected to increase by 60 per cent by 2050, underscoring the urgency of bringing new gas supply online efficiently. Africa already hosts the highest concentration of FLNG infrastructure globally, positioning the continent to leverage floating solutions to monetise offshore gas resources while reducing exposure to above-ground risks.
Early successes with FLNG are already reshaping gas development models across Africa. Cameroon’s Hilli Episeyo project, the continent’s first operational FLNG facility, demonstrated how floating solutions can rapidly unlock gas exports from relatively modest reserves. Since its commissioning, several additional FLNG projects have progressed into development or operations across the continent.
On the maritime border between Senegal and Mauritania, the Gimi FLNG vessel at the bp-led Greater Tortue Ahmeyim LNG project reached commercial operations in 2025. Operated by Golar LNG, the vessel is the first FLNG unit in the MSGBC region and is expected to monetise up to 15 trillion cubic feet of gas under a 20-year lease and operating agreement.
In Gabon, Perenco is developing the Cap Lopez FLNG project, with a planned capacity of 700,000 tonnes per year from 2026, while construction is being handled by Dixstone. Offshore Nigeria, UTM Offshore is advancing plans for an FLNG facility at the deepwater Yoho field, a project valued at about $5 billion and moving toward a final investment decision.
Industry analysts note that scalability is one of FLNG’s strongest advantages. Unlike onshore LNG projects—which often require extensive land acquisition, large supporting infrastructure, and long construction timelines—FLNG facilities can be deployed in phases and expanded in line with reservoir performance and market demand. This approach lowers upfront capital requirements and enables earlier production.
The Congo LNG project illustrates this model. Operator Eni moved from phase-one operations in 2023 to phase-two production in 2025, just 35 months after construction began and six months ahead of schedule. First exports from the project are expected in 2026.
FLNG developments are also increasingly viewed as a hedge against above-ground risks, particularly in regions affected by security challenges. In Mozambique, onshore LNG projects have faced repeated delays due to insecurity in Cabo Delgado, while offshore FLNG projects have shown greater resilience. Eni brought the Coral Sul FLNG project onstream in 2022 and reached a $7.2 billion final investment decision on the Coral Norte FLNG project in 2025, allowing gas development to continue despite broader onshore disruptions.
Beyond accelerating production and reducing risk, FLNG is seen as a catalyst for broader economic development. By lowering capital intensity and shortening development timelines, floating projects can improve bankability, attract a wider pool of investors, and support gas-to-power initiatives, petrochemical development, and regional energy security.
The African Energy Chamber cautions that FLNG is not a one-size-fits-all solution, noting that success depends on supportive regulatory frameworks, clear fiscal terms, and close collaboration among governments, operators, and financiers. When aligned with national gas strategies and industrial development plans, however, FLNG can play a transformative role in converting gas discoveries into sustainable economic value.
These issues are expected to feature prominently at African Energy Week 2026, where policymakers and industry leaders will examine how floating LNG solutions can help unlock Africa’s gas potential while managing risk and accelerating project timelines. According to NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber, FLNG is reshaping the outlook for African gas producers by enabling faster monetisation of resources, reducing exposure to security and infrastructure risks, and generating revenues that can be reinvested into broader economic development.
